HONE - TIME TO GO BRO

So Hone shed some tears today. It was a pretty indulgent interview.

Were they tears of a humble man? We dont think so - more likely to be due to the fact that he thought he was bigger than the party and he has just realised he has squandered his chance to really help make a difference to the lives of some Maori. Hone did hold much promise - his tireless efforts to reduce smoking rates indicated early on that when he campaigned on an issue he campaigned hard.

We have written lots about him over the last 2 and a half years - some of it complementary but sadly its now clear he is yesterdays man.

He has been badly advised - probably by his hate breathing dragon of a mother Titawhai

We hope that the Maori Party ditches him this week and they get on with making the gains for Maori wherever they can. Being in government means they can do that. In opposition they are reduced to pointless finger pointing and name calling - the war cry of the powerless.

Matt McCarten tries to paint the picture that it is all about personalities - it is not. Harawira's politics is about an interpretation of the past that centres on blame. It is politics that is mired in an imperfect history. It does not seek to build relationships that lead to better lives for everyone - no- his is the politics of hatred and envy.

On the other hand Turia and Sharples know that the answers for their people have to be based on the politics of aspiration - that a better future lies in in forming alliances that will give those who are now choked in the dust on the side of lifes road - a hand up and map to get where they want to go.

All Hone does is kick up the dust, blinding his people to the reality of responsibility and blaming those who are running down the road to a better future.